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Toro stands up to tough terrain

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Toro stands up to tough terrain: In a theme of fives, Calcot Park Golf Club has received five new Toro machines on a five-year lease. Headlining the fleet is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cutting units for tackling the challenging terrain of the course with unrelenting ease for years.

The club, situated on the Berkshire border, is no stranger to Toro. In fact, according, to Course Manager Tom Jennings, 100 percent of its machinery fleet is red and that’s as much for its longevity as it is its performance.

Toro stands up to tough terrain

Toro stands up to tough terrain

“Toro machinery is bulletproof when it comes to longevity. We have fairway mowers here that are up to 13 years old, which is impressive for the amount of work they do,” says Tom.

It’s no surprise then that when the time came to upgrade its machines with a five-year lease deal, Toro was the only option considered. And one machine in particular that has made its mark is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cylinders.

“The topography at our course is very up and down, and being a heavy clay site, we need a machine that can handle that, especially in the winter,” says Tom. “As a parkland course, we’ve got thicker grasses and lots of them and the sheer quantity and the coarser texture can be tough to get through, but it presents no problem for Toro and in particular the five-cylinder mower.”

In a fleet deal that also includes two new Greensmaster 3400 mowers, a Reelmaster 3100 sidewinder, and Groundsmaster 4000 – all provided by Reesink Turfcare, Tom says all the mowers work hand in hand to navigate the Harry Colt designed course and also singles out the Reelmaster 3100 for commendation.

“We’ve got the 3100 coming in on the lease as well. It’s a smaller machine which is why we chose it. Our course was built in 1930 and a lot of the complexes are quite small and tight; this sidewinder is flexible enough to get around them, whereas others on the market tend to be too bulky for the job.”

The club benefits from Reesink’s lease deal which allows it to renew its range of machines every five years. “Opting into a lease deal works well for the club,” says Tom. “I know that if we get a five-year lease, in five years from now I’m not only going to get the machines and the brand that performs best on the course; but benefit from the latest technology and the latest machines that could also benefit the course.”

And Tom and his team have their sights set on electric power next. “We’ll be considering some of the electric machines next time. We’re in an urban area and I think this will be helpful with our mowing routines,” he concludes.

Learn more about Toro’s technology and how it could benefit your course, by calling distributor Reesink at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), in conjunction with other global greenkeeping associations, is recognising those who are essential to golf’s success with the return of the popular Thank A Greenkeeper Day.

On Tuesday 10 September, all golfers, those who are in the golf business or anyone who benefits from the game is encouraged to thank greenkeepers and other turf technicians for their hard work and dedication to creating the playing surfaces enjoyed by millions around the globe.

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

In addition to BIGGA, other groups taking part in the global event include:

  • Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
  • Australian Sports Turf Managers Association
  • Canadian Golf Superintendents Association
  • Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations

Together the groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries around the world.

The celebration will include commercials that will appear on the Golf Channel, print advertisements and social media messages, all sharing the many ways that greenkeepers benefit the game and their communities. Golfers and others are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper (in the UK) or #ThankASuper (United States and elsewhere).

Celebrities to already record messages of support include Jimmy Bullard, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole, as well as reality TV star Mark Wright, social media influencers Mia Baker and Gaz Beadle and Sky Sports personalities Kirsty Gallagher and Trey Niven. But it’s not just about celebrities or professional golfers and everyone associated with golf is encouraged to get involved.

Golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their greenkeeping team. In previous years this has included providing a clubhouse meal or a token of gratitude for the team or just sharing a message of support across club newsletters and websites.

During the 2023 Thank A Greenkeeper Day, social media messages reached more than 14.7 million followers around the world, while broadcast media reached an additional 18 million people.

A social media tool kit will be made available in early August with materials to aid in the celebration and this will be shared on the BIGGA website.

More information about Thank A Greenkeeper Day is available on the BIGGA website, where you can view some of the amazing messages of support that have already been received, as well as reflect on the success of the 2023 instalment.

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Makita launches first robotic mower

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Makita launches first robotic mower: Makita continues to power the outdoors with its new robotic mower. Providing automatic mowing and charging, the RM350D Robotic Mower can cover lawns up to 3,500m2 and slopes of up to 26°. With a cutting width of 240mm, rapid charging capabilities and long uninterrupted usage time, the solution provides ultimate convenience for those looking for fuss-free lawn maintenance. 

The RM350D Robotic Mower is designed to mow the lawn and recharge automatically on its dedicated charging station. It cuts the grass into small pieces, leaving them on the lawn to act as a natural fertiliser. Thanks to the automatic cutting height adjustment, both the starting and target height of the lawn can be adjusted. Specifically, the cutting height can be adjusted from 20-60mm in precise 5mm increments.

Makita launches first robotic mower

Makita launches first robotic mower

The RM350D is simple to operate. Users simply need to set the boundary wires and guides and press go, with no need to download and sync up to an app. Four high quality brushless motors drive the blades and power the machine across the working area and once the battery has discharged, it automatically returns to its charging station and resumes mowing when the charging is completed, making it a totally autonomous system.

This design means the machine is not reliant on satellites for navigation control. As such, the RM350D is not incumbered by overhead obstructions such as trees, bushes and other garden features which may otherwise have restricted the cutting area.

Users will also enjoy the schedule settings feature, where the product can be programmed to run on specific days and times of the week – it simply leaves its charging station automatically, mows the lawn and then returns to the charging station independently.

In terms of maintenance, the RM350D simple to clean and reduce the burden of off-season maintenance. Its IPX5 rating means is can be cleaned with a hose – simply remove the top cover to wash the entire machine with water.

Matt Chilton, Product Manager at Makita UK commented: “We are delighted to add the RM350D to our growing outdoor collection. Thanks to battery operation, not only it is quieter, but also more environmentally friendly than a petrol powered lawnmower. It’s easy to set up and totally autonomous, meaning professionals can take care of other work on site while the robot takes care of the lawn. And with schedule setting capabilities, it has never been easier to manage and fulfil a lawncare timetable.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Contractor commends Johnsons J Green

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Contractor commends Johnsons J Green: For contractors Avon Sportsground Maintenance, when it comes to the overseeding of bowling greens it’s the fine fescue and browntop bent blend of J Green that is sown every time!

Delivering hardwearing but slow growing surfaces, the mixture from the Johnsons Sports Seed range is used on all 47 greens in the Bristol and Bath area currently under the remit of Owner Matt Phillips and his team.

There isn’t much that Matt doesn’t know about looking after bowling greens, the company founded by his father in 1980 and Matt joining just four years later at the age of 16. “In contrast to other sports where foot traffic is more evenly distributed, in bowls, players are relatively static meaning we need a sward that will give us good coverage and has tolerance of high wear” he explains. “We’ve been using Johnsons J Green for several years for exactly this reason – it ticks all of the boxes.”

Incorporating top-rated fine fescues and bent grass cultivars, J Green delivers fast sustainable surfaces with excellent disease resistance, summer colour and enhanced shoot density – helping to reduce poa invasion. “The thick, dense coverage also helps us to keep moss at bay which is becoming evermore important with the reduction of chemicals at our disposal.”

Matt continues, “Not only do we want to produce bowling greens that perform to the highest standard, we also have to be thinking of the future and, particularly, how we manage disease and pests. For this, we need cultivars that are more resistant to disease. J Green not only helps us to achieve cleaner and healthier surfaces across all of our sites, we find that any outbreaks are incredibly limited and the resulting scarring is easy to rectify with some targeted overseeing in the spring. Because of this, we have all-but eliminated our use of fungicides.”

With the programme performing year after year, and the clubs extremely pleased with the results, Matt and his local DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett have – actually very little – to discuss as they look ahead to the next renovation season this September! “We’ve got a great team, a great programme and great seed to match but Ian’s not complacent and will still check-in regularly to make sure everything is all OK. We wouldn’t even consider using anything else” he concludes.

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Carbon Gold partners with Westland Horticulture

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Carbon Gold partners with Westland Horticulture: Carbon Gold, the world’s leading biochar brand, is proud to announce a new partnership with Westland Horticulture.

Established in 2007, Carbon Gold has pioneered advancements in the biochar industry, achieving B-Corp certification and earning The King’s Royal Warrant. Their Soil Association-approved products, underpinned by nearly two decades of research and development, have set industry standards for sustainable soil management.

Carbon Gold partners with Westland Horticulture

Carbon Gold partners with Westland Horticulture

This partnership marks a significant milestone as it introduces a range of enriched biochar products to conventional garden retailers for the first time. Home gardeners will now have accessible solutions to naturally improve the health of their soil, sequester carbon and mitigate climate in a simple, accessible and sustainable way.

Biochar production is a scientifically verified Negative Emissions Technology CO2 removal process, recognised as a Nature Based Solution. By converting unutilised woody biomass into biochar through net negative pyrolysis technology, Carbon Gold removes CO2 from the atmosphere. Biochar serves as a carbon sink when integrated into soil or substrates, contributing to environmental sustainability.

For over a decade, Carbon Gold products have been used professionally by commercial fruit and vegetable growers, professional tree growers, sports turf such as Premier League football clubs, racing and golf courses and in urban landscaping. Home growers and gardeners will now have greater access to enriched biochar products which rejuvenate tired soils and compost, naturally hold water in summer months and allow for quicker rooting when planting out.

Westland, a world-leader in peat-free technology, sees this partnership with Carbon Gold as a strategic enhancement to its portfolio, bolstering offerings for consumers and professional growers alike while reinforcing Westland’s dedication to sustainable horticulture.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director at Westland Horticulture commented: “Enriched biochar has an important role to play in the future of sustainable gardening. Carbon Gold has developed a range of environmentally conscious products that we will bring to many gardeners going forward. This collaboration again places Westland at the forefront of
consumer horticulture and displays our commitment to delivering real, sustainable gardening.”

Executive Chairman, Craig Sams, added: “We’re excited for this partnership with Westland – as a leader in the horticulture industry and a business that shares our goals, we’re confident that working together will encourage gardeners to choose a more environmentally-friendly approach, with biochar at its heart. Biochar has the potential to make a significant contribution to this CO2 removal, using the soil for carbon capture and storage. That is our mission.”

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